Apparatus for wrapping paper about a bundle of sheets



Jan. 8, 1963 v F. SLAMAR ETAL 3,07

APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING PAPER ABOUT A BUNDLE OF SHEETS Original Filed Sept. 9, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQRS FRANK SLAMAR and ALFRED TEPLITZ attorney Jan. 8, 1963 F. SLAMAR ET AL APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING PAPER ABOUT A BUNDLE OF SHEETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 9, 1958 2 m W v O n L M v vol v. ERT .T W A a l M D A fl R m M F v 7" 3 a m m AW 7 I F r us APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING PAPER ABOUT A BUNDLE OF SHEETS s l74c I a |O8s 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. SLAMAR El" AL Jan. 8, 1963 Original Filed Sept. 9, 1958 5 dz 6 n y 4 ol e l! T. L. h P m n M M E H mAMHT a 8 .L I 5 D m S fl KR 2 NF 6 A L Dn A 8 F B n y J 1 b 8 Y B C ,H O 1:4 m I 4 8 4 l w m E Ir 1 3 C C M O 8 5 w w m u u l m 5 5 K m H: 2 w o 0 c l 5 5 8 3 In) c 0 5 United States Patent Office 3,071,908 Patented Jan. 8', 1963 3,071,908 APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING PAPER ABOUT A BUNDLE OF SHEETS Frank Slamar, Monroeville, and Alfred Teplitz, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Original application Sept. 9, 1958, Ser. No. 760,005, now Patent No. 3,019,577, dated Feb. 6, 1962. Divided and this application Nov. 30, 1960, Ser. No. 72,649

2 Claims. (Cl. 53214) This application, which is a division of our co-pending application Serial No. 760,005, filed September 9, 1958, now Patent No. 3,019,577 dated February 6, 1962, relates to apparatus for wrapping paper about a bundle of sheets, particularly tin plate. A tin plate bundle normally consists of a wooden platform having sheets of tin plate carried on the platform. The tin plate is normally covered with water proof paper, which in turn is covered with heavy paper or cardboard. The water proof paper is ordinarily applied manually which is a relatively slow operation.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide apparatus for wrapping water proof paper about a bundle of sheets. e l

This and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus of our invention;

7 FIGURE 2 is a view taken on the line IIII of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 isa view taken on the line IIII II of FIG- URE 1;

' 3 is mounted adjacent the conveyor 1 for receiving a roll of the Waterproof paper. The reel 3 includes a rotatable vertical spindle 4 extending upwardly through a paperroll-supporting platform 5. Spindle 4 is rotatably mounted in bearings 6 received in hub 8 attached to platform 5. Hub 8 is rotatably mounted in bearings '10. The hub 8 has a bottom extension 12 extending downwardly into a magnetic brake 14. A bracket 16 is attached to a housing 18 and'is provided with a drag brake 20 bearing against the underside of platform 5. A carriage 22 is mounted on tracks 24 for movement toward and away from reel 3. Any suitable means may be provided for moving carriage 22 along tracks 24. A pair of vertically pay-off pinch rolls 26 and a pair of vertical feedup pinch rolls 28 are mounted in spaced relationship on carriage 22 with a friction drag 30 therebetween adjacent rolls 28. One of the rolls 28 is supported for movement by a fluid cylinder 32 toward and away from the other roll 28. One of the rolls 26 is driven through gear unit 33 by a motor 34 which through chain 36 also drives one of the pinch rolls 28. The friction drag 30 consists of a stationary plate 38 and a spring pressed plate 40 between which paper R passes. A shear 42 of standard construction, a guide 44, and vertical rolls 46 are also mounted on carriage 22. The shear 42, as best shown in FIGURE 4, has a stationary blade '48 and a movable blade 50. which is actuated through mechanism 52 by means of a hydraulic cylinder 54. A loop L is maintained in the paper between rolls 26 and drag 30. For this purpose lamps 56 and 58 are arranged on one side of the loop L and photoelectric cells 60 and 62 on the other side. A lifting turntable 64 is mounted between the roller chains 2 adjacent the carriage 22. The turntable 64 consists of a bundle receiving platform 66 movable from a position below roller chains 2 to a position above chains 2 by means of a fluid cylinder 68. The platform 66 is mounted on a square shaft 70 which is free to slide within inner sleeve 72 of bearing 74. The inner sleeve 72 is mounted for rotation with a bevel gear 76 which is attached to the lower end thereof. The gear 76 is connected through a bevel pinion 78 to a motor 80. A thrust bearing 82 at the lower end of shaft 70 permits relative rotation between the piston rod of cylinder 68 and shaft 70. An electromagnet 84 having a switch 86 mounted thereon is suspended by means of a cable 88 from a trolley 90. A counterweight 92 is mounted on the other end of cable 88. The trolley is mounted on a rotatable arm 94 with its axis of rotation aligned with the axis of turntable 64. The arm 94 is mounted on a support 96. Collector rings 98 surround a shaft 100 about which the arm 94 rotates so as to-supply power to magnet 84.

Fluid is introduced into the top of cylinder 54 through a conduit 102 having a solenoid valve 104 thereinand into the bottom of cylinder 54 through a conduit 106 having a solenoid valve 108 therein. A switch 110 having normally closed contact 110C and normally open contact 110C1 is operable by the shear mechanism 52. A similar switch 112 is also operated by the mechanism 52 and has normally closed contacts 112C and 112C1 and normally open contact 112C2. Fluid is introduced into the bottom of cylinder 68 through a conduit 114'having a solenoid operated valve 116 therein and into the top thereof through a conduit 118 having a solenoid operated valve 120 therein. The turntable motor 80 is connected to drive a cam 122 which makes a complete revolution for each complete revolution of the turntable. A switch 124 having a normally closed contact 1240 and normally'open contact 124C1 is mounted to be operated by the cam 122. A switch 126 is also located adjacent the cam 122 and is operable thereby, the switch 126 being located 270 from switch 124 in the direction of rotation of the cam 122. Switch 126 has normally closed contact 126C and normally open contact 126C1. A top limit switch 128 having normally open contacts is located adjacent the turntable 64 and is operated thereby when the turntable reaches its top position. A switch 130 is also located adjacent the turntable 64 and is opened thereby when the turntable is in its lowest position. Motor 34 is energized from a generator 132 having two fields 132F and 132F', the fields receiving power from DC. power source 134. The photoelectric cell 60 is connected to a relay coil 136 which is energized when the loop L is positioned to let light fall on photocell 60. When this happens contacts 136C and 136C1 will close to provide power to the field 132F' in such a manner as to increase the speed of motor 34. Photoelectric cell 62 operates a relay coil 138 which will be energized when the loop L cuts off the light ray from light 58, thus closing contacts 138C and 138C1 to connect the field 132E in such a manner as to decrease the speed of motor 34. Fluid is introduced to the end of cylinder 32 adjacent roll 28 through a conduit 140 having a solenoid operated valve 142 therein and to the opposite end through a conduit 144 having a solenoid operated valve 146 therein. Motor 80 is provided with a brake 148 which is released when its solenoid 1483 is energized. A foot operated switch 150 is located in a convenient spot for operation by the operator. Switch 150 has normally closed contacts 150C and 150C1 and normally open contacts 150C2 and 150C3.

In operation, the carriage 22 is positioned so that the correct length of paper is provided for wrapping the particular size of bundle being processed. When the packaging conveyor 1 stops it will close a switch 151. This energizes solenoid 1168, thus opening valve 116 to raise the turntable 64 above the conveyor to a mechanical stop. The turntable 64 closes switch 128 to energize time delay relay coil 152. The time delay relay coil 152 is such that a predetermined time interval will occur between the time energy is applied thereto and its operation. During this time delay period the operator clamps the end of the paper to the bundle in the position shown in FIGURE 2, this being done by closing the switch 86 which supplies current to relay coil 154. Energization of coil 154 opens its contact 154C and closes its contact 154C1, thus scaling in coil 154-. Contact 15402 is also closed to energize the clamp magnet 84. The paper is held between the magnet 84 and the sheets S. After the pre-set time delay, contact 152C will close to energize relay coil 156. This closes contact 156C which completes a circuit through solenoid 1485 to release brake 148. Closing of contact 156C also completes a circuit through relay coil 158. Energization of relay coil 158 closes its contacts 158C, 158C1, 158C2, thus energizing turntable motor 80 and starting the turntable rotating. Contacts 158C3 and 158C4 are also closed, thus completing circuits through relay coil 160, brake solenoid 14S and valve solenoid 142S. Energization of relay coil 160 closes contacts 160C and 160C1, thus supplying current to field 132F and causing motor 34 to rotate rolls 26 and 28. Energization of solenoid 14S releases brake 14 and energization of solenoid 1428 will open valve 142 to separate the rolls 28 so that the paper can be readily pulled through the system. Closing of contact 158C3 also completes a circuit through relay coil 164 closing contact 164C which connects the circuit for the regulator of loop L. Thus, if the loop moves outside the space between the two photoelectric cells 60 and 62 the second field 132F' will be connected to increase or decrease the motor speed and return the loop L to this region. After the turntable has rotated through three-fourths of a revolution the switch 126 will be operated to open its contact 126C to stop rotation of the turntable 64 and close its contact 126C1 to energize relay coil 166. This closes its normally open contact 166C to seal coil 166 in and also closes normally open contacts 166C1 and 166C2 and opens normally closed contact 166C3. Closing of contact 166C1 energizes solenoid 1048 to open valve 104- to cause shear blade 50 to move against shear blade 48 and cut the paper R. When the shear operating mechanism completes its stroke it actuates switch 112 to open its contacts 112C and 112C1 and close its contact 112C2. Closing of contact 112C2 energizes relay coil 168 to close its normally open contacts 168C and 168C1 to open its normally closed contact 168C2. Closing of contact 168C seals in coil 168 and closing of contact 168C1 energizes relay coil 170 to close its contact 170C, thus rotating the turntable until it completes one revolution and operates switch 124 to open contact 124C and stop the turntable. Switch contact 124C1 is closed at the same time, thus energizing relay coil 172 to open its contact 172C. This deenergizes relay coil 154 to close its contact 154C which energizes solenoid 1208 to open valve 120. Since valve 116 has previously 4 been closed by opening of contact 16802 the turntable 64 will be lowered until it opens switch 130. At the same time opening of contact 154C2 deenergizes clamp magnet 84. The portion of the paper extending above the bundle is bent down on the top thereof by the operator during the rotation of the turntable. When conveyor 1 starts moving switch 1.31 opens to deenergize all coils and solenoids.

When conveyor 1 is advancing paper is fed up to position by depressing switch 150 which energizes solenoid 1465 to move the rolls 28 together. Depressing switch 150 also completes the circuit to motor 34.

The operation for wrapping the next bundle is the same as described above except for changes due to the shear mechanism 52 being in its lower position with contacts C and 112C2 being closed and contacts 110C1, 112C and 112C1 being open. Thus, when switch contact 126C1 is closed relay coil 174 will be energized closing its contacts 174C, 174C1 and 174C2 and opening its contact 174C3. Closing of contact 174C1 energizes solenoid 1088 to open valve 108 to cause shear blade 50' to cut the paper R and to return to the position shown. Switch 110 is actuated to open its contact 110C and close its contact 110C1 to energize relay coil 168 with the operation then continuing as described above.

While one embodiment of our invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

. 1. Apparatus for wrapping paper about a bundle of tin plate or the like comprising a conveyor having spaced chains for supporting said bundle, a turntable located between said chains, means for raising said turntable above said chains when the conveyor stops, means for supporting a coil of paper adjacent said turntable, two pairs of spaced rolls between which the paper passes from said coil to said turntable, means for maintaining a loop in said paper between said pairs of rolls, a-shear between the exit pair of rolls and said turntable, means for clamping the free end of said paper against said bundle, means for rotating said turntable a predetermined amount with said paper clamped to said bundle, and means for causing said shear to cut said paper after said turntable has rotated a predetermined amount.

2. Apparatus for wrapping paper about a bundle of tin plate or the like comprising a conveyor having spaced chains for supporting said bundle, a turntable located between said chains for receiving said bundle, said turn table having a generally vertical axis, means for raising said turntable above said chains when the conveyor stops, means for supporting a coil of paper adjacent said turntable, means for clamping the free end of said paper against a generally vertical side of said bundle on said turntable, and means for rotating said turntable about its axis a predetermined amount with said paper clamped to said bundle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING PAPER ABOUT A BUNDLE OF TIN PLATE OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A CONVEYOR HAVING SPACED CHAINS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BUNDLE, A TURNTABLE LOCATED BETWEEN SAID CHAINS, MEANS FOR RAISING SAID TURNTABLE ABOVE SAID CHAINS WHEN THE CONVEYOR STOPS, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A COIL OF PAPER ADJACENT SAID TURNTABLE, TWO PAIRS OF SPACED ROLLS BETWEEN WHICH THE PAPER PASSES FROM SAID COIL TO SAID TURNTABLE, MEANS FOR MAINTAINING A LOOP IN SAID PAPER BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF ROLLS, A SHEAR BETWEEN THE EXIT PAIR OF ROLLS AND SAID TURNTABLE, MEANS FOR CLAMPING THE FREE END OF SAID PAPER AGAINST SAID BUNDLE, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID TURNTABLE A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT WITH SAID PAPER CLAMPED TO SAID BUNDLE, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING SAID SHEAR TO CUT SAID PAPER AFTER SAID TURNTABLE HAS ROTATED A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT. 